BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 19, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/D. Medvedev

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Welcome, everyone, to the press conference of Carlos Alcaraz. First of all, congratulations, Carlitos. Your first title here in Indian Wells, your third ATP Masters 1000 title, and you will be back to World No. 1 tomorrow. Could you summarize your week here in Indian Wells.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it feels amazing to lift the trophy here, to recover the No. 1. I would say this has been the perfect tournament.

Yeah, it was good for me, this tournament that I really wanted to win, and for me, it's amazing.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. What progress have you made in your game since you were here a year ago and you had the match with Nadal, and 12 months later you're No. 1 in the world? What are some of the things you are doing even better?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Here in -- what do you mean?

Q. With your tennis overall, you're such a better player even than you were a year ago. What are you doing better with your tennis?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think my tennis didn't improve so much since last year. What I improve a lot is to don't take the pressure, just to play relaxed, you know. That's for me the most important thing.

That's why I show a great level, because I -- well, I feel like I have no pressure. I enjoy. I'm playing relaxed. I would say I improved that a lot, and that's why I'm playing a good level.

Q. Looking from the outside, it looks like when you play, you have no doubts about your shots. Is it true? Are you completely confident every time you hit the ball? Because it really looks like you have no doubts that what you're doing is the right thing to do.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I have no doubts about my shots. I feel really comfortable on court. I really trust in every shot that I hit.

Of course, as I said, that's why I'm playing a great level, because if I miss, I don't mind. You know, I don't care about the miss. I just trying to hit 100% in every shot, you know, and having no doubts about the shot.

Q. Your entire match took one minute less than the first set of the women's final. Did you surprise yourself by quite how well you were able to play today, how dominant you were today? Or did you expect it to be like that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Honestly, I didn't expect that. I expect a match, toughest match. But, yeah, I played perfect, let's say. I'd say before that against Daniil you have to play your best, and tactic at your best level, as well. Against him is always a tactic match, and I did perfect today. That's why it looks easy, but it wasn't (smiling).

Q. Back at No. 1. How does that feel now to do it again?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it feels great to be back on the No. 1, you know. Of course every player on the ATP wants to be No. 1, and for me it's a dream come true again. Obviously being in front of such great players like Novak, like the top players, for me, it's an amazing feeling.

Q. Congratulations. A lot of players can be nervous at biggest finals like Indian Wells, US Open, but for you, it seems like you're very loose and relaxed. Is there a secret to that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I try to show that, but honestly, I was nervous. But this is something that I talk with my team, you know, to show the opponent that I'm relaxed, that I'm enjoying the final.

But of course is normal to have nerves and you have to handle that, you know. All the best players in the world in that moment, they handle the nerves really, really well, and play such a great level. That's what I try to do. But I was nervous (smiling).

Q. Well done. It's nearly a year since you played Novak Djokovic. You missed the Australian Open; he missed the US Open. Is that something that's missing for you, something you're very much looking forward to?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yes, of course. I mean, Novak is one of the best players in the world. That's obvious. You know, I will say that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

I really wanted to play against Novak again. We miss him on tour, and hopefully to have him back very, very soon. But yeah, of course it could be amazing to play against him again.